6 November 2025 – An international workshop titled “Closing the Loop: Implementing Circular Economy Principles in Waste Management” was held on 5 November 2025 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The workshop was organized by the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and the Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC), with support from EMERGY Enviro and SINE–IIT Bombay, India. The program was convened by Assist. Prof. Dr. Anish Ghimire from the Environmental Engineering and Management Program.
The event brought together students, researchers, academics, practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, and representatives from both the public and private sectors who share an interest in improving solid waste management.
Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and Co-director of GWSC, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of working together to promote sustainable waste management practices and solutions.
The workshop featured two technical sessions and a panel discussion, with 12 speakers and four panelists from seven countries – India, Indonesia, Nepal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.
Speakers shared the current status and challenges of waste management in the region, along with successful case studies and initiatives that demonstrate how circular economy principles can be put into practice. The panel discussion further explored the barriers and drivers that influence the adoption of circular approaches.
His Excellency Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand and a AIT Board of Trustees Member, also joined the event and emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences among Asian countries. He presented tokens of appreciation to the speakers and panelists.
To close the program, Dr. Anish Ghimire underscored the need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government to create an enabling environment for circular economy efforts. Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Head of the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Department, delivered the final remarks, thanking all contributors and encouraging continued cooperation toward sustainable waste management.
